My partner will be joining me in the UK, once I have started my studies at Cambridge. I would like to know if private insurance is required for her or will she be able to use the Health Service?

If your course lasts for longer than 6 months and is full time, then National Health Service care and treatment will be available to both of you, as much as a UK citizen (except possibly for the treatment of any pre-existing conditions), once you are both registered with a local family doctor (General Practitioner/GP) in Cambridge… assuming that your wife will be living with you while you study. Therefore you are strongly advised to choose and register with a GP as soon as possible after your arrival in Cambridge.

If you already have medical insurance in your home country, you may wish to check whether this can be extended to cover your stay in the UK.

The payment office at the local general hospital (Addenbrooke’s) advises that all international students obtain private healthcare insurance to cover the following potential health-related costs:

Loss of fees, if you are unable to complete your course

Additional treatment and medical expenses not covered by the National Health Service